Hello, my name is Hayley. I would like to thank the AAAF Team for awarding me the sponsorship gold program.

At age 5, I was diagnosed with Alopecia. Initially, I had tried some treatments which I stopped due to side effects. In the beginning, I would wear wigs as many people would make inappropriate comments and bully me in school.

My family helped me to embrace who I am and showed me the importance of being happy in a healthy body and healthy mind.

From a very young age, I learned dance. It is more than just movement; it became my safe place. I no longer felt like the person with Alopecia, but someone who is strong and free and completely my true self. Most importantly, it showed me what matters most is how I feel inside my body, not what you look like.

When I step out on stage to perform, I feel amazing and all the negativity I had received all melts away.

Not even the Covid pandemic stopped me from raising awareness for Alopecia and my passion for dance. I received 1.8k comments and 28.8k likes on my awareness post in the bin-isolation Facebook page. It was empowering.

In 2023, I relocated from the country to the Western suburbs. I applied to many local dance schools; however, I received “sorry we are not accepting new dancers” despite my experience.

Everything changed after I was invited to do trials with Eternity Dance in January 2026. I was so excited. I completed my trials and was asked excitedly without hesitation to perform in the seniors competition group. Obviously, I said yes! We had a talk about my goals and dreams to one day become a dance teacher.

The support of this sponsorship allows me access to complete my training, gain valuable skills in the industry, and develop as a dancer. Currently, I am participating in ballet/contemporary, pre-pointe, jazz, and acro.

This year, my goals are to pass my exams, participate for the first time in competitions, and develop my skills as a dancer. Furthermore, I will be learning to become a teacher assistant through a monthly leadership dance program. When I turn 16, I will be able to commence studies in Cert 4 Dance and Management.

During Term 1, I was invited to perform in a community event at a school fete and we attended the opening movie session as a team called “Dance Life”. I was able to use these opportunities to raise awareness of the AAAF and explain to them what Alopecia is. By wearing my Alopecia Camp Shirt, this opened conversations with the dance community who attended.

I feel empowered by the impact I bring to others by simply embracing myself. On many occasions, it gave others the confidence to be their true self—some who also had Alopecia.

Thank you again for this opportunity and I am excited to share my journey with you.

***

Hayley was a part of our sponsorship program – you can also participate! Go here to learn more https://aaaf.org.au/sponsorship-program